Head of Partnerships and Development at Teach for Kenya

Position Summary

TFk is looking for a driven and inspiring leader to take on the strategic role of Head of Partnerships and Development. This key leadership position is responsible for contributing to our institutional mission by co-designing our funding strategy, developing our programs, and building our Partnerships and Development team. By strengthening existing relationships and nurturing new alliances with partners, philanthropists, allies, and supporters, the Director will secure the financial sustainability and growth of Teach For Kenya as an organization with national reach. In addition, s/he will be responsible for building and stewarding relationships with non-funding partners and key allies of our movement.

The Head of Partnerships and Development will work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to both grow our existing program and develop new programs aligned with our vision for equity. Development is an integral part of Teach For Kenya’s work. The team nurtures a growing network of local, regional, and global “champions” who are deeply connected and involved with the mission of our organization, lending their voice, resources, and support to our cause while committing to scaling and maximizing the impact of our program. The team is responsible for some elements of TFK’s strategic communication, branding, and managing relationships with the government.

The role of Head of Partnerships and Development is a unique opportunity for someone who, in addition to understanding and connecting deeply with the purpose of our movement, is strategic, purposeful, passionate about results, and eager to leverage their leadership skills for maximum impact in the lives of our nation’s most underserved children.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Technical Writing and Submissions

• For each proposal assigned, work closely with the C.E.O and development team, including M&E and Operations leads, to ensure that the technical proposal is well written, cohesive, and organized according to funder requirements and that all technical proposal sections are consistent and aligned.
• Support an efficient and effective response to funder solicitations, including RFA/RFP analysis and reviewing proposal drafts for responsiveness to funder requirements.
• In collaboration with the C.E.O., develop technical narrative outlines and draft select proposal sections with technical input.
• Review background information, interview stakeholders, and participate in strategic discussions to understand the critical win themes, unique value propositions, organizational approaches, and standards to highlight in the proposal.
• Provide proposal reviews and/or comprehensive editing of proposals, as assigned.
• Gather information from internal and external technical contributors and incorporate information into the proposal's technical strategy and approach.

Focused Grants Sourcing/Application

• Work collaboratively with staff to ensure local context and knowledge are fully reflected.
• Facilitate strategy and program design sessions.
• In collaboration with the Communications team, prepare documents needed for marketing the organization's areas of expertise, summarizing TFKs' experience and successes.
• Support the identification, screening, and supervision of proposal writing consultants as needed for surge support.
• Collaborate closely with Training Leadership & Support staff and technical leadership to proactively strengthen proposal-related resources, particularly technical content, thematic capability statements, and project past performance references.
• Identify and strengthen proposal writing tools and systems, specifically around strategy development processes, outlines, and incorporating reviewer feedback.
• Lead training and develop resources and tools for internal staff to serve as technical writers. Coach less experienced proposal writers, including staff, to provide constructive and actionable feedback on proposal sections and drafts and foster increased global proposal writing capabilities.
• Coordinate and enhance proposal writing: Ensure a targeted approach towards proposal writing; structure the ‘go no go’ decision-making process on evaluating potential proposal opportunities; coordinate proposal writing and submission. Institute quality assurance measures to guide and enhance the quality of proposals submitted
• Build proposal writing capability: Train proposal developers across the organization to increase the quality and win rate of proposals submitted.
• Proposal coordination: Ensure effective proposal writing by managing and facilitating the flow of essential information and feedback among key stakeholders. Regularly and effectively communicate proposal expectations and updates. Build and maintain related working relationships. Sensitize and train on a needs-basis in coordination with various project managers.
• Grant winning: Continuously identify and pursue grant opportunities to ensure optimal grant winning. Identify and influence partners to bring on board. Conduct market research and identify new leads and potential new grant opportunities.

Information management

• Proposal database management: Build a comprehensive database to support and guide the planning, budgeting, and resource management of key proposals across the university. Continuously review submitted proposal performance. Identify and address key challenges and communicate lessons learned; leverage or build on enablers. Generate updates detailing key proposal aspects. Coordinate quality assurance reviews.

Competencies, Skills, Characteristics:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Development Studies, Finance, Accounting, or a related field with at least 8 years of relevant work experience (5 of which should be at the supervisory level).
• A Master’s degree will be an added advantage, as will at least 6 years of relevant work experience, including at least 5 years of Leadership/Management experience.
• At least five years of experience in grants design and administration, management, and distribution of grants.
• Demonstrated knowledge of development issues in the program regions and ability to travel and    work in the    field    with    administrative    and    sector    technicians    and    civil    society organizations.
• 3 years of working experience in a busy environment with a proven track record in NGO fundraising and grant winning. At least two years in a managerial position

Competencies and Attributes.

• Technical skills in proposal writing and editing.
• Ability to conduct extensive research and analysis.
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under short deadlines with competing priorities
• Ability to collaborate successfully in a remote working environment
• Entrepreneurial attitude, working independently while also being a team player.
• Strong work ethic and sense of possibility.

Key Performance Indicators

• Number of successful grant submissions (Win rate and Quality of proposals)
• Error-free, complete, accurate, and timely proposals
• 100% availability/access of grant documentation/portfolios
• Quality of reviews from donors on resource accountability

Leadership Competencies

• Performance Management: Manage employee performance, e.g., through Weekly/monthly continuous performance discussions and feedback provision. Translate strategy into executable plans while motivating your team with clear direction by setting clear goals and KPIs each quarter.
• Coach, mentor, and facilitate the development of direct reports.
• Behavioral Role Model: Emulate TFK’s core values through your behavior and rewarding staff and demonstrate this consistently.
• Team Engagement: Engage their employees and manage diversity within the workplace, i.e., through meetings, decision-making, etc